By Christian Blue, Account Representative

A new program that Better World Books is offering to waste management and recycling centers is called the Better World Books ReUseFirst Program.  The idea is that there are plenty of books that still hold value and end up at our local recycling centers to be destroyed.  What we would like to do is use our new PreScreen feature to sort out which books can be “ReUsed” before they are sent off for recycling.  In the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle chain, this is a better solution for the environment, not to mention our company and our literacy initiatives. 

Feedback among the waste management community tells us that there is a great deal of excitement about this new program offering.  Most waste management centers have a longstanding commitment to the environment and appreciate the opportunity to keep these books in the market as opposed to sending them off to be pulped.  While the ReUseFirst Program does require and extra step in sorting, the program is free and in many cases can return revenue for the materials we receive.

Send an email to library@betterworldbooks.com for more information.

Posted by Jack Hanlon, CBO & Evangelist

We're on Facebook!  Yup.  If you go here you can become a fan of Better World Books, along with the myriad others who have done so (100+ in the first 4 hours!).

Also, if you check our YouTube channel (yeah, we're kind of a big deal) then you can check out the latest videos and some of our favorite videos as well. 

If you're feeling a little lazy and already added us on Facebook you can check out one video here...

Posted by David Murphy, CEO

Hello everyone.  Take a look at the attached .pdf from Books for Africa. 

Sullivan Summit.pdf (911.48 KB) 

This flyer was sent to all 500+ delegates attending the "Sullivan Summit" in Arusha, Tanzania.  Note that Better World Books, through the Better World Books Fund within Books For Africa, is sponsoring the shipment and that the books will be distributed by the Poverty Eradication Network (PEN) in Tanzania. Natasha Harris, Niko Tomlinson, Mary Murphy, Jaime Knabet, Dustin Holland and myself visited the PEN folks in the summer of 2006 and have continued to stay in touch with them (Mungwe and Andrea).  They do fantastic work (based in Dodoma, the national capital of Tanzania) throughout the country.

To find out more about the Sullivan Summit VIII, go to www.thesullivanfoundation.org/summit/.

Posted by David Murphy, President and CEO

Make sure to read the March 21st article in the New York Times written by David Brooks, entitled "Thoroughly Modern Do-Gooders".  This is an excellent article on Social Entrepreneurship and there are many points from the article that connect directly with what we have built here at Better World Books.

By Jacob Fu, Account Representative

So with the spring season upon us and the weather getting better, I’ve definitely been trying to find any opportunity to enjoy the sun.  Just a couple months ago, the Better World Books Alpharetta Office decided to start a Softball Team for our complex league.  With a game practically every week through August, it has been a great excuse to get outside.


Our Better World Books banner in Left Field.



Our First Baseman, A.King focused on the coming game.

I’ve also started running again and just started picking up biking.  What outdoor activities are you involved with?  And do you have suggestions for anything else that will get me outside?

By Erin Gerber, Account Representative

I started my Earth Day celebration a little early this year.  On Saturday morning, I woke up early and met up with my Better World Books colleagues and friends at Rose Circle Park for a volunteer opportunity with Trees Atlanta, a local non-profit dedicated to “protecting and improving our urban environment by planting and conserving trees.”  Robby, the representative with Trees Atlanta put us to work mulching trees in the park.  Mulching, I learned, is a great way to protect trees as it helps to retain moisture in draught conditions, deters runoff and evaporation, and it helps to protect the root system of a tree from lawnmowers and weed eaters.  It’s also relatively inexpensive and the finished project looks great.  We spent our morning filling and carrying buckets with mulch to be spread three to four inches deep around the plant canopies.  It was hard work (I have the sore feet and muscles to prove it), but well worth the effort!

 As an added bonus, Dustin and Nicole brought Cairo along to supervise.  As you can see, she did a great job of making sure everything ran smoothly.  

 

By Christian Blue, Account Representative


From left to right: David Hoffman, Christian Blue, Chris Johnson, Walter Sears (center left), Tom Warth (center right), Jacob Fu, Pat Plonski and Dustin Holland.

I wanted to share a couple of highlights from the Library Division’s trip to Minneapolis to exhibit at the Public Library Association’s biannual conference.  We tend to measure our impact on literacy through books donated or revenue raised and no doubt, that’s important.  What was interesting about this week was the impact some of our key literacy partners had on us! 

The 1st day we spent almost entirely with Tom Warth and Pat Plonski, the Founder and Executive Director respectively of Books For Africa.  With their warehouse in St. Paul, we also had the good fortune of touring their facility later that evening.  For Tom and Pat to take their time that weekend with the Better World Books crew, made a big impression on me.  Two of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet and you know exactly where their hearts are in terms of ending the book famine in Africa.


BFA Headquarters

In keeping with our Non Profit Literacy Partner’s involvement in the conference, we kicked off the weekend by attending John Wood’s opening keynote address.  This really helped me understand more in depth the business model that Room to Read employs.  His speech clearly struck a chord with all who were in the room because the conference was buzzing all weekend with Room to Read’s cause.  John was gracious enough to mention Better World Books’ support for his mission and that resulted in a firestorm of visitors to our booth to find out how their library can utilize our Library Discards & Donations Program to benefit Room to Read.  Thanks John!

Thursday evening, after the exhibits closed, we were treated to the New Orleans Public Library’s Master Plan Party.  We started off at the swank digs of Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle where we were given a taste of the vision and direction that the NOPL Foundation has taken in their efforts to ReBuild New Orleans Public Libraries.  As MS&R’s spokesman touched on, there is a deeper relevance that exists in an architect located at the start of the Mississippi River, providing services to the rebuilding effort down at the mouth.  It’s remarkable to think of it in that sense; the ability of one terrible event to engage a nation of people. People like Irvin Mayfield who sits on the board of NOPL’s Foundation and with a hot jazz trumpet and complementary band, encapsulates the rebirth of New Orleans.  Following the presentation at MS&R, the Better World Books crew had the unique opportunity to attend Irvin’s live performance that night.  He played a total of 3 nights in Minneapolis and all raised funding for the New Orleans Public Library.


Irvin Mayfield, Jazz Trumpeter

How about that!  A summary of highlights from Minneapolis and not one mention of the Mall of America!  Whoops!

Posted by Abby Rae LaCombe, Rocky Mountain Regional Director

Niko [Tomlinson, Midwest Senior Director] and I got to meet up with Dustin [Holland, Head of Acquisitions] and LPTZ (the Library Division) yesterday to see John Wood speak here in Minneapolis. It was really awesome. John Wood is a FUNNY guy, and handsome as heck, and he started Room to Read – very cool cat. Very sincere cat. He really believes in the mission of RTR. He was discussing the ultimate dreams of the organization and said that anywhere there is illiteracy is where Room to Read eventually wants to be. They are planning to expand farther into Africa this year and eventually, who knows, perhaps the whole globe will have RTR schools and libraries available.

Anyhoo, he gave a bunch of new RTR numbers that I thought I’d pass on. I think a lot of this is available through their website, but why fish in a lake when you can aim in a barrel?* Exactly.

Read the rest of the article after the jump.

By Will Eaton, Account Representative

Well, I have not read any good books lately but I had a great story told to me by a potential LPTZ client. At their local county library directors meeting, a fellow director got up in front of their colleagues to RAVE about this new Discards & Donations program that she had been introduced to. The statement made was “Hey, the program is free, they pay for your shipping, and all you have to do is scan a book and they tell you immediately if they can use it or not!!! It’s as simple as that”.

She also stated how books usually sold for 25 cents at the libray book sale, but with our program she stood to make a quarter more per book and support literacy at the same time. This library director was so excited that the potential client telling me this story said that she went on, and on, and on; which lets me know that word of mouth still remains by far the best marketing tool! By the way, the supporter of our program has not even signed up yet but is this excited based on a good conversation. YOU CANNOT BEAT THAT!!!

By Jacob Fu, Account Representative

So if you haven’t noticed, the Library Division has grown a significant amount in the past few months.  In fact, the entire Atlanta Office has really exploded and it’s been both exciting and overwhelming!

You can see the growth of the entire Atlanta Office in the Diagram below (keep in mind this does not include our massive warehouse in Indiana).

Having more people down here has really made the day-to-day work much livelier.  Just today, we had Fiesta Friday Potluck Lunch, which we would have never done before.  We even started a team for the Office Complex Softball League!

More importantly, it’s really given us the opportunity to pay more attention to all of the libraries we partner with!  It’s been such a significant change to have others to help manage all of our relationships and I hope that you all will benefit from that positive change.

On another note, anyone have any good stories from St. Patty’s Weekend?

Posted by Kim Emery, Administrative Support Specialist

Every once in a while, you read a book that crosses the line of entertainment  and into the realm of life changing. I am no longer the same since reading SOLD by Patricia McCormick. An easy read, this cleverly written tale follows thirteen year old Lakshimi's life in Nepal, and the devastation that led to her sale into child prostitution. The realities of the torment that follow, literally had me covering my mouth, in an attempt to stifle the moans of anguish I felt for her. As I read of Lakishimi's struggles to survive in this world so new and so devastatingly cruel, I found myself, hand over my heart, thinking of ways to rescue her. But in the end, I found myself sighing with relief and celebrating her victory. READ THIS BOOK! It will give you a perspective on life that is sure to change you forever...hopefully.

Posted by Erin Gerber, Account Representative

I’ve been in love with reading most of my life.  My affection for the written word eventually translated into both a love of and career in libraries for most of my adult life.

Like most people who work in libraries, I love getting books into the hands  of those who enjoy reading as much as I do.  Better World Books allows me to do this on a much larger scale than ever before—not only are we helping to get books into the hands of those in search of a good read around the world, we’re helping our Literacy Partners generate funds to create a new wave of avid readers.

I feel especially lucky to be a part of this unique company because I’m well aware of the challenge libraries face when it comes to their discards and donations.  By offering libraries a socially and environmentally responsible outlet for their books that’s not only easy, effective, and free, I know we’re offering them a solution they can use! 

By Walter Sears, Associate Director, Library Division

For those of you who care, and those of you who don’t, I am headed to Gainesville, FL for a relaxing weekend with my good friend and former colleague Patrick Kindregan.  For those of you who do not know Patrick, he was the second employee of Better World Books Library Division, and he played an integral role in making the Discards & Donations Program the invaluable program that it is today.  I would like to take this opportunity to ask all of you readers to post your favorite story about Patrick so that I may share them with him and his wife this weekend.  Here’s mine:

It took place at the Charleston Acquisition Conference in 2006.  We departed for Charleston, SC the morning the Conference began.  We had given ourselves plenty of time to make the 6 hour drive, leaving time for a lunch break so that we didn't eat all of the hors d’oeuvres during the Vendor Showcase.  We decided to stop at one of those local grocers to grab a fresh made sandwich and some water for the Conference.  Well, we all ordered our sandwiches, sat down to eat, and as Patrick bit into his sandwich…CRUNCH.  We looked at him as his facial expressions changed from confused to a painful grimace; he had bitten into a toothpick that was holding his sandwich together!  Once he collected himself, he looked at us, smiled, and to our surprise, he was missing half his front tooth!  We laughed hysterically at our colleague’s misfortune for a few minutes, and then continued laughing for the remainder of the afternoon as we realized that he would have to work the Vendor Showcase in this condition.  Needless to say, we made sure that every person that stopped to visit our table noticed Patrick’s dental disaster.  Fortunately (unfortunately), he was able to get his tooth fixed the next morning, but not without some goodhearted heckling throughout the evening.

Post your favorite story as a comment to this post and I will make sure that it is relived this weekend!

*Because Presidents Day is not the official name of the federal holiday, there is variation in how it is rendered.  Both Presidents Day and Presidents' Day are today common, and both are considered correct by dictionaries and usage manuals.

Posted by Christian Blue, Account Representative

I began my career with Better World Books at ALA Midwinter ’07.  Without much in depth knowledge of our Library Discards & Donations Program I was thrown into the metaphorical library pool to sink or swim.  Having recently returned from ALA Midwinter ’08 and reflecting on a full year of transition, change and overwhelming progress, I am filled with pride with how well I’ve stayed afloat.  While I could go on and on about my own incredible competency (it’s review time so this forced arrogance is a result of having to justify ones existence or right to a pay increase, I’m not always like this), I can not ignore the amount of guidance, instruction, support and encouragement I have received from the stellar colleagues I have throughout the Better World Books family.   This blog entry is a thank you to all of you for allowing me to be part of this incredible mission.  I look forward to many more years at Better World Books!

Posted by Angela Williams, Account Representative



December 10, 2007 is the day I realized the true meaning of making a difference. That is the day I joined Better World Books.  As a neo-member of the Better World Books team, I am able to work hands-on and not only see but feel the impact and countless accomplishments Better World Books is continuously making throughout the world.

I am elated to work for a company that literally impacts everything it encounters. It’s amazing! Furthermore, working along side people who share the same values and zeal that I possess makes my job worth while. At the end of the day, I can honestly say that I know I have made a difference somewhere in the world. Funding literacy and caring for the environment are what we do best! I challenge you to make a difference! Go!

Posted by Will Eaton, Account Representative



Better World Books is a very interesting company. In my search for a career I came across many job descriptions that offered many things, but the substance that this company brings definitely has made this a great choice.

I truly believe that some companies have good intentions and want to do better for the world around them, but some how they get lost in the hustle and bustle of corporate America. Better World Books, however seems to really stand on their purpose and aims to create a better world for all through helping to fight illiteracy and through cultivating minds. I give Better World Books all the credit in the world and I hope that my presence here will help this company continue to accomplish all of their goals.

Posted by Jacob Fu, Account Representative

A few of us from the Library Team were recently in Philadelphia for the ALA Mid-Winter Meeting.  We had a great time high-fiving librarians, seeing our current clients, enjoying the ALA sponsored band, and meeting new libraries.


As usual, we had a tasting of the local cuisine.  Christian and I even had a surprising run-in on our hotel elevator with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who was in town promoting his most recent book On the Shoulders of Giants: My Journey Through the Harlem Renaissance!


Philadelphia was littered with sculptures throughout the city.  You’re never quite sure what you will run into around the corner.  At the base of one of the buildings, were HUGE board game pieces.


And although I didn’t get a chance to visit the statue, Philadelphia is of course home to the one and only Rocky Balboa.


I look forward to the next conference and seeing everyone again.  Thanks to those who stopped by our booth and I hope you had just as great a time as I did!

Posted by Better World Books

Letter from Birmingham Jail

Christian Blue, Account Representative: I know I'm not the only one to get goosebumps when I hear his voice resonate "I have a dream" It's always been that way, but it was not until I read "Letter from Birmingham Jail" in college that I understood Dr. King's strength of purpose and character.  It's a true testament to why he led the movement he did.   Since any further attempt at describing his impact would surely fall short, I will leave you all with the attached letter (above link). I like to read it every MLK Day and it never fails to inspire.



Damara Catlett, Northern Mid-Atlantic Regional Director: There is so much to love about this picture (below) including the religious diversity in the background, the cultural diversity of the students, the BFA video playing (courtesy of Maura) and of course the posing-love it!

Jack Hanlon, Northeast Regional Director: Martin Luther King did what he did, and was who he was, for scenes like this: that students could sit together, regardless of color, class or creed and be together, to study, to share experiences and to work for a common goal: to help those in need and create a Better World!

Posted by Deon Smith, Account Representative

Even as one of the newbies here with Better World Books, I realize the impact that our company has on literacy. Within the second week of my position here, a student from UGA (University of Georgia) visited our Alpharetta office to personally thank us for our contribution to Books for Africa.

A week later we received an email from a student in Algeria, expressing his gratitude for our service. The following week, I picked up an issue of Business Week: Small Biz and who’s on the cover? Xavier Helgesen… one of the co-founders of the company (read more in previous entry)! Way to go Xavier! Better World Books is amazing!!

Posted By: Kim Emery, Administrative Support Specialist

This just in: Steven Harris, a Collection Development and Management Librarian at Utah State University, has created a new blog committed to...well, Collection and Development!

Collections 2.0.'s main focus is to show "that library collections and collection development are still important in the networked environment, and [in] developing collections that mesh with Library 2.0 and Web 2.0 concepts to create the interactive and customizable library."

Show your support and check out Steven's new blog today!

Posted by Jack Hanlon, Northeast Regional Director

Check out who's on the cover of this month's Business Week "Small Biz" magazine:

That's right, it's Better World Books' own, co-founder Xavier Helgesen!  Xavier, on top of a throne of Reader's Digest books that resides in our "Fortress of Solitude" (ok, it's just the warehouse) is the image of the hot new topic:

Strategies: Mission Possible
Making money while doing good isn't easy, but more companies are proving it can be done.  Here are some successful strategies. (article by Anne Field)

Pick up the issue at newsstands (or wherever you pickup up your glossies) and read about it.  If print journalism doesn't float your boat you could always root around for it online at their website.

Posted by Jack Hanlon, Northeast Regional Director

Hey all.  Check back on the 26th for some updates but for now Better World Books (and thusly the blog) will be taking a few days to enjoy the holiday season.  Happy holidays, best to you and yours, and come back soon!

Sincerely,
Jack and the everyone at Better World Books.

Posted by Kim Emery, Administrative Support Specialist



The Library Division is proud to announce that Better World Books is now a member of the Georgia Recycling Coalition! The mission of the GRC is to compliment and coordinate activities relative to recycling, to foster communication amongst professionals, organizations, government agencies and individuals and to promote and enhance waste reduction and recycling programs throughout the state.

We believe that the new relationship with the GRC will further enable BWB to connect with those who are as committed as we are to making a positive environmental impact.

Posted by: Paul Drake, Account Development Manager

Our four Global Literacy Partners are all world class organizations that make a huge impact for literacy, as you’ve seen on this very blog.  You can even see testimonials about our relationship on YouTube.  We don’t often post about the other 74+.  Since I’m based out of our warehouse here in Mishawaka, I am lucky enough to meet some of the people in these other groups and hear about the huge impact they make in people’s lives.  They don’t necessarily make headlines, but they do make a difference.

Anne Gongwer is one such woman.  As a teacher-turned-missionary, she started the Ankaase Literacy Program in Ankasse, Ghana. Under her leadership, the program has taught over 80 adults and children to read in their native tongue.  She has continued to expand the young program, recently completing the Reading Town Community Library which will provide for the education of future generations of Ghanaian children.


Anne is originally from Mishawaka and had heard about us through an acquaintance.  I met with her and asked what Better World Books could do to help.  At the time, she was near finishing her library and really needed books.  We were more than happy to oblige.


Unfortunately I couldn’t meet with them when she and her husband came in to select them. I had a meeting with another potential partner (more on that in the coming months) so I asked my colleague, Jon Metzger, to assist them.  Jon spent his early years in Sierra Leone, where his dad was a surgeon.  It turns out that Anne’s husband, Cameron, remembered meeting Jon and his dad over 18 years ago in Sierra Leone.  I guess the Sherman Brothers were right. 


The Gongwers were able to take 4 boxes of books with them on their way back to Ghana.  We hope to be able to get them more books in the future!

Posted by Lora Zibman, Executive Assistant to David Murphy

Better World Books' President and CEO, David Murphy, is in Hong Kong to address the 2007 Cyberport Venture Capital Forum on "Building Creative Businesses that Can Do Well and Do Good".  With over 300 Venture Capitalists from both Hong Kong and mainland China expected to attend, the Forum hopes to inspire the participants on a collection vision to build businesses which can do well economically and also do good for the community.

According to Nicholas Yang, Chief Executive Officer of Cyberport, "our distinguished and successful speakers will share their experience on how they bring profits to their companies and benefit society at the same time.  Investors and entrepreneurs will also share their insights on how to seek out, fund and build companies/business models which can do well and do good at the same time.  We believe more that more businesses in the future will embed social elements in their operation and strategy, to help create a better society for future generations in which to live, to work, to enjoy, and to dream."

Please click on the link  below to find out more information regarding the 2007 Cyberport Venture Capital Forum.

Venture capital forum set for December 4
News.gov.hk - Hong Kong

Posted by: Christian Blue, Account Representative

Just before Thanksgiving, I received a forward that read “The average person consumes 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving Day”.  This got me thinking about what I would need to do to counter all those extra calories.  Hint: it will not include portion control.

With the holidays around the corner, I guess my Christmas wish list could include new running shoes or some sort of ab blaster but why torture myself when I can do something I really enjoy?  Did you know that you can burn Calories just by reading?  It’s true I read it online and I burned a calorie doing it too.  So I crunched the numbers and at my weight, I will only need to read for 2800 hours to offset this past Thanksgiving dinner!  Well I guess my Christmas list just got condensed to just BetterWorld.com and since it is open 24/7, there will be plenty of time for my family and friends to get my Christmas gifts.  Happy shopping!

Posted by David Murphy, President and CEO

Greetings to all Better World Books employees!

Attached you will find the article from Fast Company magazine (Dec/Jan issue) that announces their "2008 Social Capitalist Awards." This is the fifth year Fast Company has selected outstanding companies for their social impact; however, in the past, they have only focused their search and selection process on the non-profit community.

2008 Social Capital Award - Fast Company.pdf (1.25 MB)

This is the first year that Fast Company embarked on an experiment to look at the for-profit sector for those companies that are truly making a social impact and changing the world. Thirty one companies applied and ten winners were selected.....including Better World Books!! Fast Company teamed up with the Monitor Consulting Group and some other outside social venture expertise to apply a rigorous methodology for selecting companies that, in the end, explicitly place social good ahead of shareholder return.

Take a look about what they say about your company....it is certainly nice to see a highly respected institution like Fast Company/Monitor Group verify (again, after a ton of examination), understand (they clearly "get" all that we do and the impact we are making in the world) and publicly applaud our business model.

I like the closing paragraph to the Social Capital Awards article here....worth highlighting for all of you.

"Change the world. Make some money. Raise more money, and make more change. It is an appealing prospect. Nonprofits were born because for-profits weren't addressing some market failures -- pollution, poverty, illiteracy. Profits won't cure those ills, but it's becoming a bigger part of more solutions. Perhaps it's dawning on us that the cost of capital for changing the world should be lower. Perhaps the capital markets will cut the world a break."

It goes without saying that this award is YOUR award....each and every one of you who make Better World Books run. Congratulations on being such an integral part of not only this recognition but in changing the world....one book at a time.

Posted by: Jacob Fu, Account Representative

As Walter recently mentioned, the Library Team was in Charleston from November 7-10.  It was my first time in the city and also my first time to the Charleston Conference.  I had a great time enjoying the beautiful weather and it was great meeting everyone there.

One of the things I most enjoy when going to a new city is the food!  During the GALA Reception on Thursday night, we were presented with barbeque, boiled shrimp, steamed shrimp, and a plethora of other goodies.  Although I’m not a big fan of oysters, it was a lot of fun standing around shucking and enjoying everyone’s company.


Another great place we stopped in for brunch was Jestine’s Kitchen.  It was a great local place that had a line waiting to get in before it even opened.  The meatloaf and sweet tea were amazing!


I definitely look forward to going back next year.  Let me know if you have any suggestions on places I need to try.

Posted by Jack Hanlon, Northeast Regional Director

Check out the following press release at the link below for more information on this exciting development!

BETTER WORLD BOOKS BECOMES A FOUNDING B CORPORATION

Online bookseller promotes literacy worldwide while benefiting its partners, employees and the environment

November 6, 2007

Berwyn, PA -- B Lab today announced it has certified online bookseller Better World Books, a leading online seller of new and used books, as a Founding B Corporation™. With the certification, Better World Books joins a growing international network of purpose-driven businesses dedicated to setting a new standard for social and environmental performance, creating benefit for all stakeholders, not just shareholders.

To become certified B Corporations, businesses must meet comprehensive and transparent social and environmental performance standards and amend their corporate governing documents to incorporate the interests of employees, community and the environment.

Posted by: Dustin Holland, Director


BetterWorld.com is featured in the "Let's All Get Merry!" December/January 2008 Issue of the Hallmark Magazine.  Check out the "Shop for a Cause" section on page 23 to read more.

Posted by: Walter Sears, Associate Director

I am lucky enough to be attending the 27th Annual Charleston Conference enjoying some of the best weather that the southeastern United States has to offer in November.  We have spent two days honing our acquisitions skills learning about weeding processes, approval plans and, most interestingly, RFID (IMO). 


Thanks to Corrie Marsh, Associate University Librarian at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, I learned that they are using RFID to indicate low tire tread, keep track of students and school buses, even pay for cover charges and drinks at bars in Barcelona & Miami.  That’s right, a bar owner in Barcelona has added an RFID reader that can charge your account for cover charges and drinks through an RFID tag surgically imbedded under your skin!  Check it out here www.txcdk.org/rfid.  To take it a step further, China is planning to issue over 10 million RFID identification cards to individuals and 3 million RFID readers to the police to assist in crime prevention.

Is RFID going too far?

Posted by Jack Hanlon, Northeast Regional Director

This past Saturday, Dustin Holland of the library division, along with Sarah Lynne Reul (East Coast Senior Director) and myself went to the Union Congregation Church in Allston, MA to help Prison Book Program with a community drive.  Hailed as the "largest drive in Boston" this program saw 20,000 books from churches and households all around the Metro-Boston area.

Better World Books was there with the Prison Book Program deciding which books would be sold for funding or which would go directly to the prisoners, and after a grueling 10-7pm nonstop sorting and packing session we actually had to shut the doors of the church to make sure no one else showed up!

Thank you to UCC, PBP and all the volunteers who showed up for a great experience.  It's not often enough that we actually get to go out there and get our hands dirty, and the opportunity was a great one.  Below are some photos, courtesy of the Boston Globe, Sunday edition (City & Region 10.21.07).